“Even after Canadians are diagnosed with a condition like heart disease or diabetes, they rarely make lifestyle changes that could prolong their lives.” That’s the surprising finding of a Statistics Canada report. When it comes to the matter of maintaining good health, it is difficult for many of us to change our ways. That is serious. But it’s even more serious when it involves our spiritual health. Efforts such as self-reformation, performing good works, getting religion, do not bring about permanent change. Thankfully despite this, God says that to become a true Christian, to make peace with God, it is not up to us. It is “by grace we are saved through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God.” For healthy bodies we need to act. But for our souls, when Jesus went to the Cross to redeem us, He cried out, “It is finished.” All we need to do is humbly accept what He has done and what He offers.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Someone stole a cell phone and put it up for sale for $300 on Kijiji. But an alert employee of the store from which it was stolen saw the ad, and confirmed that it was the stolen cell phone. A police officer contacted the would-be seller, arranged to see the phone at a local restaurant and an arrest was made. The fine was one thousand dollars plus an additional one hundred and fifty for the victims of crime fund. It was an expensive phone for that thief. Let’s hope that individual has learned a lesson. Although some think they can get away with wrong-doing, every action has a consequence eventually. The Bible informs us, “Be sure your sin will find you out.” We are also warned, “Do not be deceived. God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” Thankfully though, God promises, “If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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You believe the Bible was written by men, and is not the inspired Word of God? Please listen to this. A while back Dr. John Grebe, a devout Christian and one-time Director of Nuclear and Basic Research at Dow Chemical in Midland Michigan made an unusual offer. He offered a thousand dollars to anyone who could prove an error in the Bible. Although the offer was made in twenty-seven different countries, the money is still uncollected. And if courts and judges do their jobs correctly and fairly, it will never happen, because the Bible, in its original manuscripts, is the inspired Word of God, preserved from error through the centuries. If we read it, we will learn the answers to life’s most important questions, learn our true nature, and best of all, learn of the Saviour who came to forgive, cleanse and fit us for heaven. Follow this book and it will change your life forever.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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“We will fix what your husband fixed”, was seen on an auto repair shop wall. Those who have tried to fix something themselves and made it worse will appreciate that. When problems rise in the areas of electricity, plumbing or carpentry, it is usually best to put things into the hands of a professional. It becomes much more serious however, when we’ve tried again and again to fix our broken lives, but have failed. When it comes to living a fulfilling life, we all need help. Jesus once said, regarding the spiritual life, “without me you can do nothing.” But Paul wrote after he became a Christian following his life changing encounter with the Saviour on the Damascus road, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Are you tired of trying and failing to overcome bad habits and addictions? Turn to the Master. He can turn any life around. We don’t have to try to fix it ourselves.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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For years it was reported that famous singer Nat King Cole’s wife was on her way to be with her dying husband in an Alabama hospital, when her car broke down. She was helped by a stranger who assisted her, enabling her to get to the hospital before her husband passed away. The story said that Mrs. Cole thanked her benefactor, giving him a large television. But the story had been made up, was not true. Mr. Cole actually passed away in California. This reinforces the importance of knowing right from wrong, truth from fiction, especially regarding important matters such as preparation for the next life. The Bible, the only authentic source for spiritual truth, tells us. “there is none righteous, no not one.” And it reveals the only way to a proper relationship with the Heavenly Father in Jesus’ own words, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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“Even in all that mess, the ring looked just beautiful.” Mildred Fello of Miami Beach, Florida joyfully said that after she had accidentally discarded her four-thousand-dollar diamond ring in a plastic laundry bag. Miss Fello then went to the dumping centre and began searching. With the help of the garbage crew, she finally came upon the blue bag with the diamond ring intact. Her lost ring and search for it reminds me of an even greater search. Doctor Luke wrote in the New Testament book which bears his name which he was inspired to write, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” He spoke of Jesus. And as valuable and desirable as a diamond is, it does not compare with the value of a soul. Our Saviour once rhetorically asked, “what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his own soul?” We all know the answer to that question.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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A while back, the crew of the Newfoundland Lynx discovered three stowaways- two men and a woman-on board the trawler after leaving Iceland. Canada is indeed a place where many from other countries would like to live. Some even try to sneak in illegally. And in like manner, many try to illegally enter heaven. One of the most popular methods attempted is to gain entrance based on performing good deeds, or religious practices. But it never works because none of us is good enough to make it on our own. The Bible informs us that it is “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His (God’s) mercy” that we are saved. Jesus Himself said, “no on comes to the Father except through me.” It is only when we are in a personal relationship with God through faith in His Son Jesus Christ that we may have assurance of a heavenly home. There will be no stowaways in heaven.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Canadians are becoming heavier, weaker and less flexible resulting in illness, injury and premature frailty. Commenting on that subject, one Maritime newspaper wrote, “Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.” Paul, in the New Testament echoed that truth, speaking to some about serious problems in their lives. When they reacted negatively, he responded with the question, “Have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth? “Often when we are confronted about our fallen nature, since it’s a fact that “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God”, we too react in anger and denial. When we are made aware of our poor health, we need to act. And the wise among us will face up to the facts of our spiritual need, and turn to the Lord Jesus Who said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” Please think about that today.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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“Can one be absolutely sure in this life of eternal safety? That question was asked by Queen Victoria, after attending a service in St. Paul’s Cathedral. Her remarks were published and read by a man named John Townsend who sent her a note and assured her “I know that we can be absolutely sure now of our eternal life.” He included suitable portions from the Bible to support his beliefs. One verse read “…if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. About two weeks later, Townsend received a letter from the Queen, in which she wrote, “Your letter of recent date I received…I have read the portions of Scripture referred to. …I believe in the finished work of Christ for me and trust by God’s grace to meet you in that Home…” We can know now.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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A fifty-six-year-old man, grieved and tormented, asked should he confess that he stole from a close family member thirty years ago, to pay for a drug habit? AA, Alcoholics Anonymous has a twelve-step program for recovering alcoholics. One of the steps is to make amends to the people we have hurt. Sadly, some of those who have been wronged will remain angry and unforgiving. However, I am glad that there is One whom all of us have hurt by our actions and unbelief. Yet Jesus never turns His back on us. When we come to Him with sincere and humble hearts, admit our failures and sins, He opens wide His arms and forgives and forgets. How do I know? It’s in the Bible, where the Saviour invites, “come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” And He also promises, “the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”
 

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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